Once Upon a Midnight: Wanted

Chapter Thirteen

What was almost five hours felt like just a few minutes to Aeryn. The sun had begun setting when she was shaken awake, Claudia's face hovering just inches from her.

"Casper is back. We should get going."

She nodded, yawning. Once Claudia moved out of her way Aeryn sat up, rubbing her eyes. Definitely not enough sleep.

"Kris and I will go back out the way we came." The Rahktar was saying, already moving toward the window. "I do not wish to raise any suspicions if four of us go down when only two came up."

Claudia climbed out of the window, not bothering with waiting for a reply. Kristianna flashed a smile before following suit.

Aeryn looked at Casper, who'd been standing next to the window since coming back. Without a word he pushed off the wall and walked to the door, waiting for Aeryn to scramble off the bed and follow him.

The walked back the way they came in an oddly uncomfortable silence. Aeryn had her arms wrapped around her waist hidden beneath her cloak, and Casper's own hands had been stuffed into the pockets of his pants.

Neither of them said anything until they got to the staircase, and then Casper slowed to a stop. "Aeryn, I wish to apologize for my behavior earlier."

"It's okay." Aeryn said quickly. "You were upset over the memory of your mom. I totally get it."

A tiny smile quirked on Casper's lips and he shook his head. "Still, it was rude and inconsiderate of me. Forgive me."

"Of course." Aeryn smiled when Casper took her hand and led her down the stairs. "I mean, I still don't think I have anything to forgive you for but whatever helps I guess."

Aeryn glanced at Rebecca as they walked past the front desk, and aside from a glare the other girl said nothing to the pair as they walked by.

"I don't think she likes me." Aeryn mused as they left the hotel and walked a bit towards Downtown.

They were met by Claudia and Kristianna not long after, the other two Rahktar lowering their hoods as they were no longer needed.

"I have been thinking," Kristianna started.

"That is never a good sign." Claudia said, earning a punch on the shoulder.

"Shut up, hear me out. Since we know, or at least think that Aeryn is a Shifter, it makes no sense for her to be walking around as a Rahktar. Besides, aside from that one chick, nobody will really recognize her, will they? She smells just off enough to pass as a Shifter anyway."

"I think she looks cute." Claudia said, crossing her arms as if offended her clothes were suddenly not good enough. "But I agree, we could dress her in something else. There is a store not far from here, should we go?"

"Do we really have time for this?" Casper asked, despite the fact that both Claudia and Kristianna were actively looking for a store of some kind. "Guys."

"Oh relax Casper. A few minutes will not kill us." Kristianna huffed.

Casper didn't respond, but the glare he gave Claudia caused her to roll her eyes and take Aeryn by the hand, pulling her away from him. "Fine, stay here if you want. We will not be long."

Aeryn glanced back at Casper, who stood watching them with a frown on his face.

"Ahh forget about him." Kristianna said when she noticed Aeryn looking back at the Rahktar. She threw her arm around Aeryn's shoulder. "Just grabbing you a new outfit, not giving you an entire makeover." She paused, and then grinned. "Although if we had time and you were not endangered just by being here a full makeover would be fun."

Claudia hummed lightly, nodding. "Kristianna." She said, letting go of Aeryn's hand and crossing her arms. "Have you noticed anything off about my dear brother?"

"I notice something off about him everyday." Kristianna replied, though she nodded. "But yes. He has been acting rather strangely. Do you think getting Aeryn through the City is making him on edge?"

"No." Claudia shook her head. They were nearing the store and she sighed lightly. "This was his idea, he does not have the luxury of feeling stressed. He was all but excited to make this journey. I do not know what his problem is but it would be in all of our best interests if he corrected it sooner rather than later."

Claudia fell quiet as they entered the store. The Rahktar immediately took Aeryn to the back of the store where a clothing rack with various articles of clothing with different animal prints and patterns on them.

While all Aeryn could do was stand in awe, Claudia and Kristianna immediately went to work finding clothes that would fit Aeryn and not look too suspicious.

Aeryn ran her fingers along some of the shirts on a rack in front of her. She'd never seen such nice clothing, other than the shirt Raleigh had given her.

Thinking about the Shifter made Aeryn's heart ache a bit and she couldn't help but sigh. She hoped the other girl was okay. Even though they were going to look for her she still felt as if she should have been doing more to help.

It was not even a minute later when Aeryn heard her name being called. She turned her attention to where the other two had gone and saw them holding up a plain brown t-shirt and a pair of black jeans.

"Here. These should fit you fine. There's a dressing room over there you can change into." Claudia said, pressing the clothes into Aeryn's hands once she made it over to them.

Aeryn nodded and made her way quickly to the dressing room. She was surprised to find the clothes fit her a lot better than the clothes Claudia had given her, though she supposed it was because Claudia was a bit bigger than her.

Once the clothes were on and Aeryn had tied the cloak back on she stuffed the clothes Claudia had given her in the pack where the clothes Raleigh had given her were.

She stepped out of the dressing room, though what she saw made her suck in a sharp breath a step right back in.

"What is Moira doing here?"